{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Florida Gators hoping for decision regarding Chris Walker this week

There is hope within the Florida basketball program a ruling regarding Chris Walker will be announced this week by the NCAA.

Walker has remained in limbo for more than six weeks since he enrolled at UF on Dec. 14. He is allowed to practice with the team but cannot play in games until the NCAA clears him for competition, a process that has dragged out longer than most expected. With a ruling possibly set to come down this week, there is optimism Walker, who has sat out 10 games since arriving on campus, could be inserted into No. 3 Florida’s lineup in the near future.

Chris Walker continues to practice with the Gators. (AP Photo)

Although the delay in the clearing process has caused frustration for most involved, coach Billy Donovan believes Walker is in a better place to contribute now than he was when he first arrived on campus.

“The biggest adjustment he’s made is just having a better feel for what we’re doing defensively and offensively,” Donovan said. “When you walk into a situation where we have 60 different offensive sets and he doesn’t know one of them, I mean, that’s a long way to have to come, so there’s certain concepts and things that he’s got to get under his belt, which he’s done a better job of figuring out and improving on. We’re spending a lot of extra time with him.”

Walker, a McDonald’s All-American, was one of the most sought after high school prospects in last year’s recruiting class. The Bonifay native committed to Florida along with point guard Kasey Hill but failed to become academically eligible for the fall semester. Walker finally enrolled at UF in December after completing three additional online courses.

The 6-foot-10 freshman is known for his spectacular ability to finish near the rim and would offer the Gators another frontcourt player who could protect the basket and rebound defensively. Donovan has praised him for his commitment to improving since he began practicing with the team but has cautioned fans and media alike to keep realistic expectations of Walker, who has not played in a live basketball game in several months.

“My biggest fear for Chris is you have a highly explosive player and sometimes when the guy’s not playing, the legend of Chris Walker grows greater than who he really actually is, you know,” Donovan said. “It’s the same thing with [Dorian Finney-Smith] last year. He’s sitting out, and everyone’s talking about this guy like he’s Magic Johnson.

“Chris Walker now, it’s like, my god, this guy is going to end up being Kevin Garnett. I mean, he’s not that. And I think if anybody, whenever he gets able to play, if that’s your expectation of Chris Walker, then you’re going to be very, very disappointed because he’s not that.

“And my biggest fear is for him is there’s a level of anticipation or excitement whenever he gets cleared to play, but I hope that there is at least a level of understanding in terms of how much he’s missed coming in to, where he’s coming in and if anybody’s expecting him to be a savior, it would really be unfair. He’s got a lot of growing to do. He’s got a lot of physical growing, mental growing. He’s got to understand the college game a lot more. There’s so much that’s in front of him to try and get better at.”

Florida has upcoming games this week against Mississippi State on Thursday and Texas A&M on Saturday.